Reddit reviews Seiko Men's SNZH53 Seiko 5 Automatic Dark Blue Dial Stainless Steel Watch

Seiko SNZH53

OK... this is an often-visited topic here. Most high-end watches are mechanical movements, but many non-watch people wear quartz watches. (here is the section of the FAQ that explains this)

If mechanical sounds good to you, the go-to suggestions for cheap blue-dialed diver's watches are:

• Orient Mako
  
• Orient Mako "Pepsi"
  
• Orient Mako XL - it is really huge at 46mm diameter!
  
• Seiko SKX009 "Pepsi"
  
• Seiko SNZH53 - this doesn't have a screw-down crown, but gives the look of a diver.
  
  The two bold-text choices are far and away the most popular blue-dialed diver's watches for under $500.
  
  I hope this helps.

Casio is very reputable. The MDV-106 is a great option at ~$45, with a black dial. Haven't done a ton of research, but you may be able to find a blue dialed diver in Casio's Edifice range. The EFM100-1AV has a black dial and a blue bezel for instance.

Just slightly above your range is this Seiko SNZH53 This only has 100m water resistance, but it has an automatic movement, a selling point for some. The Casio options will have 200m water resistance which is much more reliable if the watch will actually be used in a wet environment, and quartz movements which are much more accurate than an automatic movement.

It depends how you look at the watch. Would you wear that with a suit and tie or would you rather wear it with a pair of chino shorts, polo, and your boat shoes?

Arguably there are Seiko 5's that certainly are more casual than other.

• Green Canvas Strap Seiko 5
  
• Brown Rubber Band Seiko 5
  
• Metal Oyster Band Seiko 5
  
  Then there are ones that look more formal than the previously ones mentioned.
  
  
• Jubilee Bracelet Seiko 5
  
• Black dial Seiko 5
  
• White dial Seiko 5
  
  Hopefully this helps answer your question!
  
  Edit: I concur with /u/cubenori that a change in the watch band for that one to leather could certainly open it up to be used in more dressy settings!

the seiko snzh53 is fantastic looking in blue

The Seiko SKX line are usually diver models.

Here's some more

I have this one in the mail: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0041LG08U/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Sure. The Japanese are kings of value at that price point, and you'll have a fair share of selections from a few brands, types of movement (automatic/mechanicals, quartz, UHF quartz, solar quartz, etc.) and styles (diver, field, pilot, chrono, etc.) all good for day-to-day wear.

A good place to start is look through listings from Seiko, Orient, Citizen, and Casio's Edifice line.

A few examples:

Seiko SNZG13 - automatic field/military style

Orient Defender - automatic field style - also comes in blue

Seiko SNZF17(black) / SNZF15(blue/pepsi bezel) - automatic diver style

Seiko SNZH55/53/57 - automatic black, blue, and black/gold diver style

Various Seiko chronographs on bracelets - quartz movements

Orient Mako II and Ray II - automatic diver style watches with an upgraded movement over the Seiko automatics

Various Casio Edifice chronographs on bracelets - quartz movements

There's a lot more not limited to these brands as well - I'm sure other people can recommend you something nice. I've excluded models not on a bracelet - but if you change your mind you can also look through Citizen and Bulova's offerings.

Here's the current buying guide on $0-$250 watches.

If you really like the MVMT, just buy it, but do so knowing what you're actually getting. The particular model you linked has a chronograph but doesn't even have markings on the subdials, so the chronograph is kinda pointless - how can you tell which dial is which?

These are all very cheap Chinese watches. I don’t have to see them up close to tell you that nothing there is genuine. Instead of wasting $100 on this you could buy a Seiko 5 like this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Seiko-Japanese-Automatic-Stainless-Casual/dp/B0041LG08U/ref=mp_s_a_1_15?keywords=seiko+5&qid=1567199388&s=gateway&sr=8-15

Or this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Seiko-SNK795-Automatic-Stainless-Steel/dp/B0058VJWTQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?keywords=seiko+5&qid=1567199433&s=gateway&sr=8-8

Either will last a very long time and will be much better quality than anything in that lot.

The Seiko 5 SNZH53 Automatic is pretty close on price and color (though the blue may be a bit darker), not sure about the angled bezel though.

The Invicta Pro Diver 9094OB is the blue bezel/dial version of the 8926OB. Cheaper than the Orient Ray (and the above Seiko), but it has a nice Seiko NH35A hacking & hand-winding 24 jewel movement. The blue color looks brighter than the Orient, but it does have an angled coin-edge bezel like the Orient.

Not a whole lot of reputable companies really tend to make two-tone watches in that price range because that inherently involves the use of cheap materials (like "gold" plating) which do not hold up or very expensive materials (like actual gold). However, Citizen and Bulova are pretty well respected and do make some models similar to what you are looking for.

Bulova

Citizen

That Citizen will probably be bigger than what you're looking for.

If you are willing to go with an all-stainless and blue dial without the gold accents, you open yourself up to a wide range of quality options, many with automatic movements. Such as-

Orient

Seiko

Seiko

Orient

I have a question about purchasing from Amazon and didn't want to start a thread about it:


I wanted to purchase this Seiko SNZH53 but am balking a bit because when added to cart you're informed there's no manufacturer warranty, only a 2 year Asurion warranty. I know Seiko is reliable since I own 2 quartzes from them, but I'm open to recommendations from others who may have more experience. (First automatic watch purchase!)


Thanks in advance!

It's a little over your $500 budget but the Archimede Klassik 42mm comes in a blue sunray dial: http://www.archimede-watches.com/watches/klassik/automatic-42.html

I have the sold out silver version (the older version with the ETA movement, they use the Selita SW-200 now) and it's a really nice looking watch.

Edit: There's also the Junkers Mountain Wave line, the non-chronos are in your budget if you like the classy fleiger style: http://www.pointtec.de/junkers/mountain_wave_project/

Another edit: If you don't mind a classy dive watch style there's the Seiko SNZH53 too. Well within your budget.

Maybe one of the colored Orient Mako's.

Or a Seiko 5 Seiko Orange Monster Bulova Marine Star

this is one I found that even looks like the tissot.

I will second the Hamilton.

Another one worth a look is the Seiko SNZH53 ( there are other color combos too ). It is a diver style, but is sort of a dressier look.

You need a Diver. Seiko SNZH53

Look at the pictures in the reviews. There's a video showing the dial out in the sun light too. Worth a look.

This is a good suggestion - also check out the SNZH53 and 57.

This or this or this

edit: that is...if you like the style of dive watches

Yeah I just ordered bunch of seiko 5 sports , blue dial. It looked soo nice, almost brought one for myself too. Lol https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0041LG08U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_.xYtxbGRMW8P8

Invictas have a similar look to the Aragons, but quality is a risk. That being said I love my Invicta Pro-divider and is a great beater watch.

Also no need to mod an SKX to look like a Fifty Fathoms, because Seiko makes a watch called the Fifty-Five Fathoms as a sort of tongue in cheek joke, though it is hard to find. Non-limited adition